"dad" **Sketch 097**

Good morning everyone!  I hope the last week has been a good one for you.  This week's post showcases another sketch from Twisted Sketches, but this one is a bit unique!  This week's twist was "medium".  After seeing an amazing page my friend, Rachel, did, I was absolutely inspired.  I just HAD to use paints, mists, and cardboard.  She made it look so easy and so much fun.  The cardboard was part of a package I had received.  I keep these "slabs" on hand just in case I feel brave enough to attempt using it.  I think it turned out GREAT--for my first time.  I still think I need a bit of practice, but I have a starting point now!

These fun techniques were absolutely perfect for a photo of my dad from the 70's.  And what better paper line to use than Cosmo Cricket's "Social Club"?!  The photo is my dad's graduation photo.  I scanned the original, which was in color, and printed it off in black and white.

"dad" Sketch #097 'medium'

To make the corrugated circle, I traced a plate and cut the first layer of the card board and pulled it off.  It was super easy to do!  It took maybe 5 minutes!  After I had revealed the corrugation and roughed it up a bit, I slapped some gesso onto it.  I wanted to create texture so I applied it thicker in some areas than others.  To keep with the funky look I wanted, I "colored out of the lines a bit" with the gesso.

Once the gesso dried, I sprayed it with Walnut Ink in "Java".  I sprayed it heavily and let some of it run down the cardboard.  To down the Walnut Ink a bit, I used Adirondack Paint Dabbers in the corners and along the edges.  If you have Punchinella, this makes a GREAT mask to add more texture and visual interest.

The little strips under the photo and in the top right corner are cut from the cover page that comes with the paper pack!  Talk about some AWESOME upcycling there!  I placed a chipboard floral alongside the photo to brighten it up a bit.  After some chipboard buttons and a title made using My Little Shoebox alphas, this cardboard project is done!

I am super proud of this page and I can't wait to try this again.  Head on over to Twisted Sketches and check out what the other Twisted Sisters have done.  Let us give you some inspiration...with a twist!

My Latest Reveal: Gabrielle

Good morning blogging peeps!  Wow!  I guess I've been MIA for a while.  I really need to get on top of this blog more.  Anyway, thank you for pardoning my absence.

Now to the business at hand!  It's time for my next reveal at ACOT!  Bo Bunny's "Gabrielle" is such a beautiful line when you look at it in real life.  The color palette is truly what sets this line apart from others.  The beautiful mix of coral, chocolate brown, cream, white, and teal make these papers exquisite as well as challenging.  When I submitted my product preferences for this reveal, I really wanted to push my personal envelope and step outside of my comfort zone.  And this line definitely fit the bill.  I was able to produce 5 pieces, yes *5* pieces, for this reveal.  I tried to use a wide range from this line to include the puzzle piece mini album!

This first piece is done using the puzzle piece mini album.  I put the pieces together to create a 12x12 framed piece.  I painted a piece of regular chipboard brown and glued the pieces to it using mod podge.  I used some trim from my stash around the edges then covered the overlapping corners with some Recollections roses and rosettes. 

I used a "hanging" plaque by Kaiser Craft to frame the title.  It is stained with Glimmer Glam. 
These wonderful mother of pearl buttons are antiques.  My mom found them in a thrift store when we were younger.  It's always nice to used stuff like that!

I used some awesome wood embellishments by Kaiser Crafts to accent this piece.  I slapped some Glimmer Glam onto the wood to give it a stained look.  The beaded sprays are gorgeous little pieces by Prima and I just love how soft and whimsical they look.  The blooms are also Prima and I accented their beautiful and rich color with some gold Stickles. 

For these next several pieces, I just created regular 12x12 pages.  I used several layering techniques, some hardware I've had in my stash FOREVER, and some Walnut Ink misting.

My final project I did for ACOT is a simple card.  I wanted to use that marvelously huge butterfly chipboard shape.  The best thing was to keep the design simple and let the butterfly be the sole focus.

You can check out the full article at A Cherry on Top's site.  Remember, we have the next big crop coming up in May for NSD!  And get this!  It's a "crop around the clock"!  That's right!  We;'re going straight through the weekend!  The theme for this weekend long party is "Rockstar"!  Come check it out! 

Be True. Be Yourself. **SKETCH 095**

The latest sketch is up and at 'em at Twisted Sketches!  And check this out!  This week's twist was a super fun and easy-peasy one!  PAPER!  How difficult could this possibly be??!! 

I used Pink Paislee's brand spankin' new Daily Junque line.  I have been wanting and pining and needing, that's right, needing, this line.  I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it really was to work with.  Amazingly, it looks all "girly" but I manage to "dude it up" a bit for the photo I chose.

This photo is of my neighbor's son (left) and my son, Jerm.  We took the Tribe to the Aquarium of the Pacific since it was just gorgeous weather.  The boys were sitting in front of the seal tank and decided to "dude it up" a bit.  I don't  know what it is about THESE papers, but they just screamed to be used with THAT photo.

Other products used were Inque Boutique "Monarch" stamps, VersaMark stamp pad in "Sepia", Ranger Distress Stickles in "Vintage Photo", Color Box Cat's Eye inkpad in "Chestnut", and Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in "Sea Glass".

Thank you so much for taking a look and as always, I love your comments.  Please go over to Twisted Sketches and let the rest of the Twisted Sisters inspire and twist you!